The Himalayas are not merely a geographical feature, a range of mountains. they epitomise people's civilisational identity that goes back to the dawn of history. If these majestic mountains were not there, the rain clouds sweeping up from the Indian Ocean.

Customs, Religion & Dress
India is a secular country with diversity in culture, language and colour. The majority of the population is Hindu and this is the case for the inhabitants of the Himalayan foothill regions of Darjeeeling, the Garhwal and Kumaon. North of the main Himalaya range in Ladakh, Zanskar and in Sikkim the people practice Tibetan form of the Buddhist religion. A fundamental tenet of Buddhism and Hinduism is the cycle of death and rebirth. Both beliefs have at their heart the concept of ‘karma’ whereby actions in this life effect the quality of rebirth in the next. It is normally quite acceptable to enter Hindu shrines and Buddhist temples and indeed these are a fascinating part of any visit to the region. Visitors should be respectful of local customs and it is a good idea to observe how local people behave when in these shrines. In particular you should be aware that the cow is a sacred animal to Hindus and in general you should not wear leather items (especially boots) when entering a Hindu shrine or temple. The Himalayas is a sacred area to both Hindus and Buddhists and this is especially so of the Garhwal, the source of the holy river Ganga or Ganges. On treks to the Garhwal and neighbouring Kumaon you should be discreet when drinking alcohol, particularly in hotels and public places. Indians do not normally display their legs and when trekking above villages it is fine to wear shorts but it is a good idea to carry long pants or a skirt so that you are appropriately dressed when passing through towns or villages. For any doubts you should speak and take advice of your trip leader about the local customs.

Currency
Rupee is the currency of India and it is not necessary to purchase Indian currency before you travel. You can exchange your Money at airport, your hotel or from Money changers near by. Since you will be changing the majority of your spending money into local currency on the first day of arrival we recommend taking this in cash. Both Dollars and Sterling are readily exchanged in Delhi. If you plan on buying expensive souvenirs on your return to Delhi it is worth considering taking money for this in traveller’s cheques. Credit cards can be used to purchase many goods in Delhi and are particularly useful for more expensive items such as carpets. It is possible to withdraw cash (rupees only) from cash machines in certain banks in Delhi using credit and debit cards, and often this will be at the most favourable exchange rate.

Vasas
All nationalities need to obtain a visa for entry into India. Rates vary depending on your nationality. Full details of current rates and the visa application process will be sent on when we confirm your booking on a TBI trip. Plenty of time should be allowed to obtain your Indian visa if you are intending to apply for it by post. Applications usually take two to three weeks to process. Another option is to hand in your passport at an Indian Embassy in person, which will often then be processed overnight for you to collect next day.

Vaccinations
You should visit your own doctor and dentist for a check-up prior to taking your trip to India. The following is a ROUGH GUIDE for immunisation and we must stress that this is only a basic guide - and you must consult your local doctor.
(a) Polio (normally you will just need a booster.)
(b) Tetanus.
(c) Typhoid. A full course requires 2 injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks.
(d) Hepatitis (A) and (B).
(e) Anti-malarial prophylaxis: Please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about anti-malarial medication for the areas that you will be visiting.
(f) Rabies pre-exposure vaccination. Please refer to your doctor for advice on whether you need rabies pre-exposure vaccination. In the unlikely case of your being bitten, this vaccination does not eliminate the need for urgent evacuation to a suitable medical facility for additional treatment. However, it does simplify that additional treatment and also prolongs the period that you can safely delay before receiving post-exposure treatment.

Given enough notice, your doctor will be able to administer all the above vaccinations.

Drinking water
Do not drink the tap water anywhere in India. At Good Hotels in big cities the filtered water in rooms and restaurants is safe, and bottled water is available in all major hotels, restaurants and shops. In general water other than bottled water in restaurants should be avoided. It’s better to take advice of your trip leader for safe water.

Climate
Many of India’s mountain areas are affected to a certain degree by the monsoon, during the period from June to mid September. However, Ladakh and Zanskar lie in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and escape the worst of the monsoon’s influence, which is why we are able to run our Markha Valley, Spiti to Ladakh, Stok Kangri and Five Passes of Rupshu trips during this period. This area is referred to as a high altitude desert. The part of the Indian Himalaya which encompasses the Vale of Kashmir and Manali has a modified monsoon climate and normally experiences periods of rainfall until mid-July. The Dhaula Dhar Range, the Garhwal, and eastwards to the massifs of Nanda Devi and Panch Chuli, tends to get the main brunt of the monsoon weather, which is why we delay our treks to this region until the end of September when the area normally gets its most settled and pleasant weather in the higher valleys. Similarly, Sikkim is adversely affected by the monsoon, and we run our trips in to the south and east sides of Kangchenjunga on either side of the monsoon - in April and November.

Camping is the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature given to Himachal and sharing the warmth of its people. You can carry your own gear along or opt for any one of the several camps that are pitched in various parts of the State.